Calls for more Scottish Government funding for Esol English classes in Glasgow as thousands on waiting lists

Those teaching English to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers say more funding is needed to meet the high demand for classes.

Scottish Government funding was provided last year to help around 800 people gain access to English classes in Glasgow.

However, the city has the highest demand for English lessons in the country with around 6,000 people currently on waiting lists for spaces – and some are facing years without access.

“There are so many new Scots who are coming with incredible skills to offer our economy and it’s just language that is holding them back,” said Claire Donaghey, the assistant principal of arts and continuing education at Glasgow Clyde College.

“We want to be able to help people, like doctors and nurses, to have language skills to be able to enter those professions.

“Some of them have been waiting many years for language support and they’re not able to reach their potential when they’re at that point.”

The English classes have been described as a 'lifeline' for those looking to build a life in Scotland. — The English classes have been described as a ‘lifeline’ for those looking to build a life in Scotland. STV News

Esol (English for speakers of other languages) has been described as a “lifeline” for those trying to build their home in Scotland.

Educators say language skills are the main barrier for many to achieving employment and community integration.

Last year the Glasgow Esol Partnership was rewarded £500,000 from the Scottish Government to help support English lessons in the city.

The partnership is led by Glasgow Clyde College together with Glasgow Kelvin College, City of Glasgow College, Glasgow Life, ESOL Scotland and the WEA.

While Glasgow Clyde College has always offered Esol classes, they currently do not have enough to meet demand and the Scottish Government funded classes will end in March.

Ms Donaghey said: “We have so many learners who apply every year to try and get Esol and we just don’t have enough provision.

“This additional funding is helping us in a small part to be able to meet that need [but] to stop the learning is a real concern for the learners themselves and we want to be able to help them to be able to reach their potential.”

Announcing the funding in December last year, equalities minister Kaukab Stewart visited Glasgow Clyde College.

She said: “We targeted it towards Glasgow because that’s where the biggest need was.

“That’s not the only funding stream that’s available for these classes, colleges can provide it anyway, but this particular pot of money was targeted in the area of greatest need.”

On the subject of continued funding for the next financial year, Stewart added: “We have got support for the budget but we’re currently working through that and as soon as that is passed then we’ll be looking at the funding for next year.

“So I’m cautiously optimistic that we’ll be able to work through that so that we can have more sustainable funding to support these vital classes.”